India and the United Arab Emirates reaffirmed the strength of their growing partnership during the official visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India on 19 January 2026. The visit took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and marked an important moment in the evolving relationship between the two countries.

This was the fifth visit of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in the last ten years and his third official visit since assuming office as President of the UAE. During the visit, both leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of India–UAE relations and expressed satisfaction that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations has steadily strengthened over the past decade.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed that bilateral cooperation has gained depth and maturity across political, economic, strategic, cultural and people-to-people domains. They also welcomed the recent visits to India by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The leaders noted that these high-level engagements reflect “generational continuity of the bilateral relationship”.

The two leaders endorsed the outcomes of key institutional dialogues, including the 13th High-Level Task Force on Investments held in September 2025 and the 16th India–UAE Joint Commission Meeting, along with the 5th Strategic Dialogue held in December 2025. These platforms have played an important role in guiding cooperation and setting future priorities.

Trade and economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. The leaders welcomed the strong growth in bilateral trade since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022. They noted that bilateral trade reached US$ 100 billion in the financial year 2024–25. Encouraged by this progress, both sides decided to set an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade to US$ 200 billion by 2032. The leaders acknowledged the enthusiasm of business communities in both countries and described trade as a key pillar of the partnership.

To ensure that economic growth is inclusive, the leaders directed their teams to focus on connecting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from both sides. They called for the early implementation of initiatives such as “Bharat Mart”, the “Virtual Trade Corridor” and the “Bharat-Africa Setu”, which are aimed at promoting MSME products across the Middle East, West Asia, Africa and the Eurasia region.

Investment cooperation was another major focus area. The leaders expressed satisfaction that the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed in 2024 has strengthened investment flows across several sectors. They welcomed discussions on a possible UAE partnership in the development of the Special Investment Region at Dholera in Gujarat. This proposed partnership includes infrastructure projects such as an international airport, a pilot training school, a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, a greenfield port, a smart urban township, railway links and energy infrastructure.

Highlighting the success of the first National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Infrastructure Fund, Prime Minister Modi invited UAE sovereign wealth funds to consider participation in the second Infrastructure Fund, scheduled to be launched in 2026. Both leaders also welcomed the establishment of branches of DP World and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in GIFT City. They noted that this development reinforces GIFT City’s role as an emerging international financial centre. FAB’s GIFT City branch was described as a “key bridge” connecting Indian companies and investors with global markets across the GCC and MENA regions.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in food security, recognising its strategic importance. They underlined the role of public-private partnerships, innovation and knowledge sharing in building sustainable agricultural systems and ensuring long-term food resilience in line with national priorities.

In the space sector, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation and welcomed an understanding to collaborate on a joint initiative aimed at driving commercialisation. The initiative seeks to advance space sciences and technologies and create an integrated space ecosystem with end-to-end infrastructure and a strong industrial base. It aims to support joint India–UAE missions, expand global commercial services, create high-skilled jobs and startups, and strengthen bilateral investment through sustainable business models.

Science, technology and innovation were identified as priority areas, especially artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The leaders welcomed the decision to collaborate on establishing a supercomputing cluster in India and agreed to explore cooperation in setting up data centres. They also directed their teams to examine the possibility of establishing “Digital Embassies” between the two countries under mutually recognised sovereignty arrangements. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed support for the “AI Impact Summit” to be hosted in India in February 2026.

The leaders expressed satisfaction with the strength of the bilateral energy partnership and acknowledged the UAE’s contribution to India’s energy security. They welcomed the signing of a 10-year LNG supply agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and ADNOC Gas for the delivery of 0.5 million tonnes of LNG per year starting in 2028. They also welcomed the enactment of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) law, noting that it opens new opportunities for civil nuclear cooperation. Both sides agreed to explore partnerships in advanced nuclear technologies, including large reactors, Small Modular Reactors, nuclear plant operations and nuclear safety.

Financial cooperation was further strengthened as the leaders directed their teams to work on interlinking national payment platforms to enable fast, efficient and cost-effective cross-border payments.

Cultural and people-to-people ties also received attention. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the UAE’s decision to provide artefacts for the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. The leaders agreed to establish a “House of India” in Abu Dhabi as a lasting symbol of friendship and to promote youth exchanges to deepen cultural understanding.

Education was described as a cornerstone of the partnership. Building on the opening of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad offshore campuses in the UAE, the leaders encouraged stronger links between educational institutions and greater student exchanges. They also welcomed cooperation on Innovation and Tinkering Labs and efforts to integrate India’s Digilocker with UAE platforms for seamless verification of academic documents.

On defence and security, the leaders reaffirmed respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and strategic autonomy. They acknowledged defence cooperation as a core pillar of the partnership and welcomed recent military exchanges, exercises and the signing of a Letter of Intent towards a Strategic Defence Partnership.

Both leaders reiterated their “unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” and agreed to continue cooperation within the FATF framework to counter terror financing.

The leaders recalled the launch of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor in 2023 and exchanged views on regional and global issues. The UAE expressed support for India’s BRICS Chairmanship in 2026, while India supported the UAE’s co-hosting of the 2026 UN Water Conference.

The visit concluded with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “warm welcome and gracious hospitality”.